Are doctors more willing to give you xanax xr?

I suffer from severe panic attacks since I was 16. They got worse when my mom passed away. I as on regular Xanax 1 mg 3x a day. Then my new Dr. Put me on Valium instead and it doesn't work the same as the Xanax did. I see from other people's comments that Xanax xr works great. Is there any way that I could get my Dr to prescribe this medication for me? She doesn't like Xanax for some reason only Valium?? I need of advice.. thanks. As a mother of 4. I need medication to control my panic attacks with going out of the house. Any advice is welcome. Thanks. :)

Responses (3)

Your issue with medication may be just an experience that your doctor has had. For instance, I am in the process of being diagnosed with vertigo, I have all of the symptoms but a specialist needs to confirm it anyway I have asked my doctor 3 times for a med that controls vertigo, what do I have to loose, I am the one sitting at home staring at the walls. He will not prescribe me any med specifically for vertigo saying that my prostate is an issue, My doctor has had a horrible experience with a vertigo drug causing a patient to have to go to the ER and be cathaterized to urinate. I know I went a long way around to explain but maybe you see what I mean. If you believe you need the Xanax to get well, do the homework present it to your doctor, if that doen't work fire your doctor and go to someone else. Control your health. Best to you Sam

Hi mamabutton,I can relate to your stress,xanax is great for panic attacks. Where i'm from,its hard enough to get regular xanax,because of its addictive tendancies,and the fact that some people abuse the med-it makes it more difficult for those of us to get prescriptions when we really need it.It took me a long time to get to where i am with taking 1mg twice daily and 0.5 in between,i had to go back and forth to my doc and then pyshiatrist demanding that the xanax is the only med that will work for my severe panic/anxiety!!I would do as Sam suggested,talk this out with your doc yet again and if you get no joy then time to change docs!!Best of luck with it,i sympatise with how you are feeling and hope you get things sorted soon.Take care

I always found valium was so much weaker than xanax/klonopin and never helped me. I was taking 5mg twice a day and felt almost no relief. Generally speaking, the benzo equiv. chart shows 10mg valium equal to 0.5mg xanax.

so you'd have to take 60mg (20mg 3x day) of valium if your doctor is so opposed to xanax. But I would definitely talk to your doc about the xanax XR. However, taking xanax three times a day "for panic attacks" isn't really the answer. I had a friend on xanax 1mg 3x a day for panic attacks and it was extreme overkill. I'd see if the doc will keep you on valium but give you a small supply of xanax for panic attacks as they happen.